2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the following day it was discovered that the cruise control switch located on the steering wheel had overheated and melted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11535514

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

Mileage

120,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON I-65 SOUTH BOUND ON I-65 IN GOODLETTESVILLE, TENNESSEE WHEN MY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE HAD PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT AND APPARENTLY THE STEEL BELTS CAME APART AND BLUE OUTWARD.

NHTSA ID

11337884

Incident

Jul 4, 2020

Mileage

187,675 mi

IN THE MORNING OR WHENEVER DAMP MY FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP WHEN DRIVING, THEN STOPPING..

NHTSA ID

11277193

Incident

Oct 30, 2019

Mileage

168,177 mi

RE: 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. IT APPEARS THAT THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, HAS FRACTURED AND THE SEAT BACK IS PERMANENTLY IN THE RECLINED POSITION. THIS MAKES DRIVING VERY CUMBERSOME SINCE I HAVE NO BACK SEAT SUPPORT WHILE I AM DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. LUCKILY, AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. I JUST DISCOVERED THAT A RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS PROBLEM SO I CONTACTED FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 AND ENTERED THE RECALL ID 03S04 AND THE RESPONSE WAS THAT THE RECALL ID DID NOT EXIST. CAN I STILL GET MY SEAT FIXED VIA THIS RECALL? NOTE THAT THE DATE SUBMITTED FOR THE INCIDENT IS AN APPROXIMATE ESTIMATE.

NHTSA ID

11252562

Incident

Jun 6, 2016

Mileage

170,000 mi

OD LIGHT FLASHING, REBUILDS TRANSMISION AND NOTHING CHANGE, I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS PROBLEMS ON EXPLORERS, RANGERS AND MUSTANGS

NHTSA ID

11024731

Incident

Aug 1, 2007

DRIVING ONE DAY THE OD OFF LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING NOW IT SHIFTS HARD AND CLINKS AND CLACKS GOING DOWN ROAD

NHTSA ID

10899846

Incident

Aug 29, 2016

Mileage

170,000 mi

ON FEB.12 2016 STILL NO DASH WARNING LIGHTS MY FORD TRAC..I LEFT MY HOME IN DRIVE MOVED ONTO HIGHWAY 66, THE TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT AS I TRIED TO INCREASE MY SPEED UP ONTO THE 66 HIGHWAY THE RPM RAN UP ONLY, I HAD TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR TO GET OFF ROAD DROVE BACK HOME. NOW THE TRUCK WILL NOT MOVE WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. I ONLY HAD IN 2ND GEAR THIS IS A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.FLUID IS STILL OKAY. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS TRUCK?.MILAGE IS 123242

NHTSA ID

10838947

Incident

Feb 12, 2016

Mileage

123,242 mi

THERE WAS NOT WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH, TRUCK SLOWED DOWN THEN ENGINE RACED UP ALL ON ITS OWN TURNED I TURNED OFF ROAD SHIFTED TO NUTRAL AND SAT UNTIL THE RACING STOPPED CONTINUED ON TO AUTO PART STORE WHERE THEY PLUGGED INTO ENGINE IT READ STRANGE CODES..

NHTSA ID

10838936

Incident

Jul 15, 2015

Mileage

123,023 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER FRACTURED BEHIND THE CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10722747

Incident

Jun 1, 2015

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES STOPPED WORKING AND THE CONTACT COULD ONLY GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR LATCH ON ALL DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN DOOR MODULE FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/13/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES. 3 OUT OF 4 HANDLE FAILED. 2 OUT OF 4 INSIDE DOOR HANDLES FAILED. UPDATED 6/29/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID

10694804

Incident

Mar 2, 2015

AFTER MAKING ABRUPT STOP HALF MILE BEFORE INCIDENT TO AVOID ACCIDENT, I CAME TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN. WHEN I WENT TO ENTER A MAIN HIGHWAY, MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND LEFT ME NON MOBILE IN THE INTERSECTION, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET HIT BROADSIDE. HAD TO GET OUT IN TRAFFIC TO PUSH MY VEHICLE OFF HIGHWAY. MANY EXACT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR THIS VEHICLE ALREADY POSTED ON INTERNET I SEE. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10664152

Incident

Dec 14, 2014

Mileage

119,086 mi

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. O/D LIGHT BLINKING. TRANSMISSION INSTANTLY STARTED TO SLIP IN 3RD GEAR UNDER ACCELERATION. OVER 8,000 COMPLAINTS LISTED BUT FORD SAYS THAT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR RECALL. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS, THAT CAN CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING. BIGGEST ONE IS LOSE OF ACCELERATION IN TRAFFIC. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS A LENGTHY BAD HISTORY. IT IS THE 5R55 SERIES TRANSMISSION, STARTING WITH THE FAULTY SOLENOID PACK. IF YOU LOOK AT THIS TRANSMISSIONS HISTORY, YOU WILL FIND THE SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN, SLIPPING WHILE IN GEAR FAILURE TO SHIFT, O/D LIGHT BLINKS THEN GOES OUT, TRANS FAILING AT 50,000M, 60,000M. I AM ON MY SECOND PAIR OF TIRES AND THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. I DRIVE LESS THAN 8700 MILES PER YEAR AND MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE VERY WELL. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. I THINK FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT TILL THEY WILL BE FORCED TO DO SOMETHING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10625918

Incident

Aug 15, 2014

Mileage

104,000 mi

THE BODY MOUNT INSULATORS DETERIORATED AND THE BODY COULD COME LOOSE FROM THE CHASSIS. FORD WANTS OVER 3000 DOLLARS FOR THIS REPAIR WHICH IS AN OBVIOUS MATERIAL FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10620689

Incident

Jul 5, 2013

Mileage

23,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD SPORT TRAC AT ABOUT 40 MPH,ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING,JUST A SHAKING FEELING,THEN COMPLETELY SHUT OFF,WHILE IN MOTION. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION! NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NO CODES WERE PRESENT. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC AND AVOID BEING HIT. HAD TO CRANK FOR ABOUT HALF A MINUTE AND IT RESTARTED. HAVE DRIVEN ON A DAILY BASIS ABOUT 200 MILES SINCE AND PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED AS OF YET.VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND UP TO DATE ON FILTERS,ETC... *TR

NHTSA ID

10525025

Incident

Jul 11, 2013

Mileage

120,000 mi

SEVERE DETERIORATION OF THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS TO THE POINT WHERE THEY CRUMBLE WHEN TOUCHED. INFERIOR MATERIAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10523542

Incident

Nov 3, 2010

Mileage

75,000 mi

DOOR HANDLE ISSUE. REAR DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10523539

Incident

Jul 1, 2011

Mileage

85,000 mi

THEY WERE ROTTEN AND FALLING APART, I WAS LOOKING ONLINE AND EVERYBODY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THAT SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURED RECALL. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10519526

Incident

Jun 3, 2013

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PULSATING, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD FEEL SPONGY WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT TWO OF THE ABS SENSORS WERE FAULTY AND WERE OVERRIDING THE BRAKES. THE MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE ABS SENSORS. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY FAILURES AFTER THE SENSORS WERE DISCONNECTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ID

10489039

Incident

Dec 17, 2008

Mileage

76,000 mi

BODY/CHASSIS MOUNTS ARE DETERIORATING AND CRUMBLING. BODY IS NOW LOOSE ON THE FRAME AND HAS SLIGHT MOVEMENT. THESE MOUNTS ARE NOT RUBBER LIKE MOST; THEY ARE SOME SORT OF URETHANE COMPOSITE. INTERNET RESEARCH AND TRUCK OWNER SITES CONFIRM THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. FORD DOES NOT SEE THIS AS A SAFETY/RECALL ISSUE AND HAS DIRECTED OWNERS OF SUSPECT VEHICLES TO YOUR DEPARTMENT. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN SALT OR SNOW AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN NORTH CAROLINA. THE CAB SHAKING AND RATTLING IS CAUSING MOVEMENT THAT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY EFFECT THE BRAKE LINES AND STEERING COLUMN AS THEY ARE ATTACHED TO BOTH THE BODY AND THE CHASSIS. FORD IS NOW USING ANOTHER COMPOUND FOR THE MOUNTS APPARENTLY IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10486572

Incident

Nov 16, 2010

Mileage

140,000 mi

THE BODY MOUNTS ON THE VEHICLE ARE DESINTEGRATING. I TOUCHED IT WITH MY HAND AND IT FELL APART. BODY MOUNTS SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10470691

Incident

Aug 14, 2012

Mileage

91,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVERS SEAT RECLINED INTO THE BACK SEATING AREA CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND INSPECTING THE SEAT, THE FRAME OF THE DRIVERS SEAT FRACTURED CAUSING THE BACKREST TO SEPARATE FROM LOWER PORTION OF THE SEAT AND OVERRIDE THE RECLINER HANDLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10468339

Incident

Jul 25, 2012

Mileage

152,000 mi

I AM EXPERIENCING A LOUD CLANKING AND CRASHING SOUND EMITTING FROM UNDER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON PUBLIC HIGHWAYS WITH MINIMAL BUMPS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH INCREASED ROLL MOVEMENT WHILE CORNERING. AFTER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THE BODY MOUNTS TO BE CRUMBLING APART, BODY MOUNTS MISSING LARGE CHUNKS OF MATERIAL AND OTHER BODY MOUNTS ARE SOFT AND JELLY LIKE WHEN TOUCHED. THESE FORD BODY MOUNTS HAVE BEEN ENGINEERED IMPROPERLY AND HAVE REACHED A PREMATURE FAILED STATE. THIS AFFECTS THE ROLL OF THE VEHICLE AND MAY POSE GRAVE DANGER TO VEHICLE PASSENGERS WHEN PERFORMING A LANE CHANGE OR ANY VEHICLE ROLL MANEUVER AND AFFECTS VEHICLE CONTROL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. AFTER A INTERNET SEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC OWNERS AND OTHER FORD TRUCKS AS WELL. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FLORIDA FROM 2002-2010, AND IN GEORGIA FROM 2011-PRESENT AND HAS NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO SALT, SNOW OR ANY ABNORMAL ENVIRONMENT TO CAUSE THIS FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY. *JS

NHTSA ID

10468129

Incident

Jul 2, 2012

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP WHERE A MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DETECTED A MALFUNCTION IN THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAD ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,673.

NHTSA ID

10452423

Incident

Feb 1, 2011

Mileage

161,673 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND A JERKING MOVEMENT WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO MOVE ERRATICALLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE BEFORE CRASHING INTO A RETAINER WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10451506

Incident

Mar 9, 2012

Mileage

100,000 mi

I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC NEW. SHORTLY AFTER HAVE ELECTRIC WINDOW PROBLEMS DRIVERS DOOR BACK PASSENGER WINDOW AND NOW THE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW, BAD BODY MOUNTS,AND IDLES BAD WHEN IN PARK OR STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. RPM'S 500 TO 1000 BACK DOWN TO 500-400. 2002 HAD A BABY GIRL 1 1/2 YEARS AND ANOTHER ON THE WAY NEEDED A 4 DOOR AND ALSO FOR WORK. I KICK MY SELF EVERY DAY THAT I HAVE OWNED IT BUT HAD NO CHOICE MONEY WAS TIGHT AND STILL IS COULD NOT AFFORD EVERY TIME GETTING THINGS FIXED SO I LIVED WITH IT!!!! UNTIL I FOUND THIS WEB PAGE I AM FED UP I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED FORD BUT AFTER THIS IM NOT SO SURE ANYMORE! AND READING OTHER PEOPLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS THE SPORT TRAC IS ONE BIG LEMON!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10447535

Incident

Feb 3, 2004